Apparatus and method for recording a scene for a plurality of lighting setups using only a portion of each cinematic frame

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for recording a scene using a plurality of lighting setups in rapid sequence to concurrently record a plurality of motion picture clips of the scene, one motion picture clip for each lighting setup, the plurality of clips together exhibiting negligible motion offset. The apparatus includes a plurality of light sources, a controller to define the plurality of lighting setups using the plurality of light sources and to actuate the lighting setups in sequence, a camera to capture a sequence of micro frames showing the scene illuminated by each one of the plurality of lighting setups in sequence during each micro frame, and optionally a processing module to process the sequence of micro frames to generate a motion picture clip of the scene for each of the lighting setups. The duration of the micro frame sequence is short enough to minimize the need for an algorithm for removing motion artifacts.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to illuminating and recording scenesusing multiple lighting setups, and particularly to producing motionpicture footage of a scene for each of a plurality of lighting setups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lighting Setups

In the film industry, it is common to use different lighting setups toadd creative and/or technical value to a motion picture. It can beadvantageous to film the same scene under different lighting conditions,and later choose the most desirable lighting effect for the scene.

Furthermore, it can be desirable to have the option of combiningdifferent lighting setups in post-production. Traditionally, multiple“takes” are filmed using different lighting setups, and are then editedto restore the continuity of a motion picture scene. This is because,with traditional motion picture film technology, it is not possible tofilm a motion picture scene using multiple lighting setups in only one“take”.

Types of Image Frames

In the following discussion we will use the following terms:

1) “high-speed frame” (micro frame) refers to a high-speed image captureframe using a high-speed camera. For example, a high-speed frame can beacquired every 1/4800^(th) of a second by a high-speed image capturecamera set to acquire images at 4800 frames per second.

2) “cinematic frame” (macro frame) refers to a standard cinematographicfilm frame, as used when acquiring frames at the standardcinematographic film rate of 24 frames per second.

3) “FPS” refers to “frames per second”.

Motion Artifacts at Cinematic Speed

As many movie-goers and cinematographers are aware, the standardcinematic frame rate of 24 FPS is slow enough to cause motion artifactswhen movement occurs rapidly within a scene during recording. Anotherstandard cinematic frame rate motion artifact recognizable to manymovie-goers is “motion blur”, i.e., a blurred quality in the movingimage as a 24 FPS camera is moved to pan across a panoramic scene. Thismotion artifact is caused by the apparent motion of the scene created bythe camera's movement, in combination with the relatively slow 24 FPScinematic frame rate.

A 24 FPS cinematic frame rate corresponds to one frame every 1/24^(th)of a second, or 41.6667 milliseconds duration per cinematic frame.Clearly, motion artifacts often occur when the motion is captured atcinematic frame rates having frame durations of 41.6667 milliseconds.

In addition, if there is movement of the subject being filmed during acinematic frame, the image data captured near the beginning of thecinematic frame of 41.6667 milliseconds will not “line up” with theimage data captured near the end of the cinematic frame, thereby causingmotion artifacts. Often, this motion artifact will appear as a blurringof the image. Additionally, image data captured only part-way throughthe cinematic frame of 41.6667 milliseconds may not “line up” with imagedata captured near the beginning of the cinematic frame. In fact, in thecase of rapid subject movement, image data that is captured only a fewmilliseconds apart may have motion artifacts. In general, the more rapidthe motion, the more motion artifacts become visible.

Motion Artifacts at High-Speed

A high-speed camera captures high-speed frames of image data. A typicalhigh-speed camera can operate at 4800 frames per second. A high-speedcamera operating at 4800 FPS captures image data every 1/4800^(th) of asecond, or every 0.2083 milliseconds.

The use of a high-speed camera operating at 4800 FPS dramaticallyreduces motion artifacts, since the images are captured so closetogether in time. However, high-speed cameras generate much more imagedata than a standard cinematic frame rate camera.

For a high-speed camera operating at 4800 FPS, the ratio of the numberof high-speed frames per standard cinematic frame is:4800 FPS/24 FPS=200Therefore in this example, 200 high-speed frames of image data arecaptured per standard cinematic frame.

Accordingly, much more image data will be captured from a typical highspeed camera. Therefore, despite the advantages of using a high speedcamera, a serious drawback to such a camera is the amount of memoryneeded for image data storage when using a high-speed frame rate, versusfilming at the standard cinematic frame rate of 24 FPS.

Debevec, U.S. Pat. No. 7,436,403 B2

In an attempt to address the issue of capturing multiple lighting setupsin one filming “take”, Debevec teaches a lighting apparatus that can beconfigured to illuminate a subject while the subject is undergoing amotion. The lighting apparatus uses a controller configured to control aplurality of lights at different locations to illuminate the subjectfrom different directions and with different light intensities. Manydifferent illuminations occur within the duration of each cinematicframe. The timings of the different light illuminations are determinedby the controller so as to sequentially illuminate the subject with atime-multiplexed series of lighting conditions.

In Debevec, an imaging system, typically a high-speed camera with aconstant frame rate, records the subject by continuously recordinghigh-speed image data, captured from a time-multiplexed series ofshort-duration lighting conditions. This process essentially takes manyhigh speed “snapshots” of the subject over the entire duration of eachcinematic frame, and then, after post-processing, a basis set isselected from at least some of the “snapshots”, which are combined toform a sequence of cinematic frames of the subject. In post-processing,the high-speed image data captured from the time-multiplexed series oflighting conditions may be de-multiplexed and used to reconstruct andsynthesize film footage, also called a film “clip”, which can be playedback at standard cinematographic film speed.

Debevec teaches a high-speed camera continually acquiring images at aconstant frame rate, for example 2160 FPS or 4800 FPS. At 4800 FPS,approximately 200 “high-speed frames” or “snapshots” of different lightilluminations are captured during the corresponding time interval ofeach cinematic frame.

Every cinematic frame is reconstructed from some basis set of the 200high-speed image data captures. Since the high-speed camera is typicallyoperated at a constant speed, the high-speed image data is captured as asequence of rapidly recorded high-speed frames, spaced approximatelyevery 0.2083 milliseconds apart, throughout the duration of eachcinematic frame.

These high-speed frames are then processed, de-multiplexed, and outputto desired “cinematic frames”, typically being 1/24^(th) of a second induration with the desired output cinematic frame rate of 24 FPS.

Therefore, the apparatus of Debevec teaches recording a subject with ahigh-speed camera, and then, in post processing, de-multiplexing andoverlaying multiple high-speed frames to reconstruct each cinematicframe.

However, the apparatus of Debevec has disadvantages. If the high-speedframes are not corrected for movement within the duration of a cinematicframe, after being de-multiplexed and before being superimposed to forma cinematic frame, the resulting cinematic frame can show motionartifacts. These motion artifacts result from a separation distancebetween a first image of the subject from a first high-speed frame imagewithin a cinematic frame and a later image of the subject from a laterhigh-speed frame image from the cinematic frame, when the first andlater high-speed frames are superimposed within the same cinematicframe.

Because the different high-speed frames are captured every 0.2083milliseconds throughout the duration of each cinematic frame, there aretime delays as large as 41.6667−0.2083=41.4583 milliseconds betweendifferent high-speed frames within the same cinematic frame. Theseintra-cinematic frame delays can cause motion artifacts. In thisexample, there are 200 micro frames captured and used to reconstructeach cinematic frame, the number and types of possible motion artifactsare very large.

Therefore, the apparatus of Debevec must correct for motion artifactsbetween the different high-speed frame images recorded within theduration of each cinematic frame. After the recorded data isde-multiplexed, complex and burdensome optical flow algorithms are oftenrequired to remove these motion artifacts.

The apparatus of Debevec has other disadvantages. A high-speed camerawith a constant frame rate must record a burdensomely large quantity ofimage data, because each cinematic frame requires capturing a largeamount of high-speed frame image data. As calculated previously, ahigh-speed camera typically captures 200 times the amount of image dataas captured by a standard cinematic camera of the same resolution andbit depth. The resulting overabundance of image data is costly to store.As a result, the maximum length of time of the recording may be limitedto only a few seconds, unless costly image data storage equipment isused. Further, to reduce the image data storage requirements, thequality of the stored images may need to be reduced, providing filmfootage with lower than ideal resolution and image quality.

In addition, in Debevec the positions of the light source may beconstrained to a specific arrangement, such as a surrounding dome shape.In the apparatus of Debevec, the complexity of the lighting setupincreases the time, difficulty, and expense of filming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the invention employs a camera configured to recordhigh-speed frames (also called “micro frames”) only during a portion ofeach cinematic frame, (also called a “macro frame”), to efficientlyrecord a scene with multiple lighting setups, all in one “take”, withminimal motion offset among the micro frames, and with minimal imagedata storage requirements.

The apparatus of the invention enables illumination and recording of ascene such that multiple lighting setup illuminations of the scene canbe captured concurrently using a high-speed digital cinema cameracapable of recording micro frames only during a portion of each macroframe. Further, the settings of the camera can be changed for each microframe. Each such high-speed frame (micro frame) corresponds to arespective lighting setup.

Each of the lighting setups is recorded as a micro frame image datacapture of the same scene. The sequence of micro frames has negligiblemotion offset because the micro frames are captured so rapidly in aburst of a duration substantially less than a macro frame that the scenedoes not appreciably change while the micro frames are being capturedduring each macro frame.

“Motion offset” refers to apparent motion of an object in the scene upontransition from a micro frame illuminated by a first lighting setup to amicro frame illuminated by a subsequent lighting setup. Motion offsetcan also refer to the separation distance between a first image of theobject due to a first lighting setup and a later image of the object dueto a later lighting setup, when the first and later images arede-multiplexed and included in a cinematic frame sequence.

Because the micro frames are captured as part of a sequence of microframes of substantially short time duration relative to each macroframe, the benefits of the invention include minimized motion offset,thereby substantially minimizing the need to employ complex optical flowalgorithms to remove motion artifacts.

The micro frames captured during a portion of the time interval of eachcinematic frame (macro frame), are captured together in a sequence ofshort time duration compared to the duration of a cinematic frame (macroframe). Because the high speed camera records a sequence of micro framesonly during a limited duration of each cinematic frame (macro frame),the image data stored is less than the image data that must be storedwhen recording micro frames continuously during an entire cinematic(macro) frame.

In addition, according to the invention, the positions of the lightsources are not constrained, permitting more creative expression viafreedom to place each light source where needed or desired, therebyfacilitating rapid setup and consequent reduced time, difficulty, andexpense of filming.

Further, the apparatus of the invention enables use of industry-standardlighting equipment, as well as non-standard lighting equipment.

The plurality of lighting setups is sequentially captured using at leastone different light source and also possibly different camera settingsfor each micro frame within each macro frame being recorded by thecamera. A controller (that is configurable via software) detects themicro frames being recorded by the camera, and triggers thecorresponding lights of respective lighting setups on specificrespective micro frames to record the plurality of different lightingsetups. The camera can also be set up (either using a control menu onthe camera, or via an API) to have different settings for each microframe within a macro frame.

Once the micro frame image data has been recorded, the micro frames ofeach macro frame can be separated into a plurality of respective sets ofmicro frames, each set corresponding to one of the plurality of lightingsetups. Each set of micro frames for a particular lighting setup canthen be processed and output as an individual clip consisting of asequence of cinematic frames (macro frames), thereby providing onecomplete clip of the same scene for each lighting setup of the pluralityof lighting setups.

There will be at least one synced light source in each lighting setup,but there can be more than one synced light source, and there can besynced light sources in more than one lighting setup, or even in alllighting setups. Additionally, the lighting setups can change from onemicro frame to the next micro frame. For example, one or more lightsources can be dimmed, and/or the lighting level can be brought upduring the capture of the micro frames. The same light source can beused for more than one setup, and additionally the level of this lightsource can be changed per micro frame.

A plurality of groups/sets of light sources are first positioned in thedesired locations, and configurable software in the controller thencontrols which light sources are fired for each micro frame that isrecorded by the camera. Each of the plurality of lighting setups isfired for each cinematic frame. The micro frames corresponding to thelighting setups in each cinematic frame can then be extracted from theentire cinematic frame sequence to create a set of clips of footage.Each clip of footage shows the scene under one lighting setup. Theseclips of footage can be combined in post-processing for creative ortechnical flexibility and efficiency.

The invention can be used to concurrently record a plurality of lightingsetups of live action which can be used as separate clips of footage.For example:

-   -   Lighting representative of different times and places.    -   Each of the various lights required to light a single scene.    -   Scene lighting and VFX lighting for tracking, chroma key, or        effects.    -   Different creative lighting set-ups.

A general aspect of the invention is an apparatus for recording a sceneusing a plurality of lighting setups so as to concurrently record arespective plurality of motion picture clips of the scene, one motionpicture clip for each lighting setup. The apparatus includes: aplurality of light sources, each light source configured to illuminateat least part of a scene; a controller configured to: enable a user todefine a plurality of lighting setups using the plurality of lightsources, and actuate the plurality of lighting setups in accordance withtiming signals so as to provide a sequence of lighting setups; and acamera configured to capture a sequence of macro frames, each macroframe being of a duration so as to include a sequence of micro frames,the sequence of micro frames being of a duration of no more thansubstantially 21 milliseconds, each micro frame initiated by a timingsignal, and at least one micro frame being capable of capturing thescene illuminated by one of the plurality of lighting setups.

In some embodiments, the camera is a variable frame rate cameraconfigured to capture micro frames during only a portion of each macroframe, the portion corresponding to the duration of the sequence ofmicro frames.

In some embodiments, the variable frame rate camera is configured tocapture only the sequence of micro frames in each macro frame.

In some embodiments, the variable frame rate camera is configured tocapture at least one long micro frame after capturing the sequence ofmicro frames, the long micro frame being of an extended durationconfigured to capture light from a continuous light source.

In some embodiments, the camera is a constant frame rate cameraconfigured to record during only a portion of each macro frame, theportion corresponding to the duration of the sequence of micro frames.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes; a processing moduleconfigured to assemble a plurality of motion picture clips, each motionpicture clip assembled from a sequence of corresponding micro frames ofthe sequence of macro frames, each motion picture clip corresponding toone of the lighting setups.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to actuate theplurality of lighting setups in sequence in accordance with the timingsignals, such that a first lighting setup of the plurality of lightingsetups is actuated by a timing signal upon a beginning of a macro frame,and a last lighting setup of the plurality of lighting setups isactuated by a timing signal such that the last lighting setup will godark before an end of the macro frame.

In some embodiments, the timing signals are derived from the camera.

In some embodiments, the timing signals are derived from an externalcontroller.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to enable the user toinclude at least one camera parameter that can change for each microframe, and sequentially actuate the at least one camera parameter foreach of the micro frames in accordance with timing signals.

In some embodiments, the at least one camera parameter can include atleast one of: sensitivity (ISO); aperture; ND (neutral density filter);and shutter angle.

In some embodiments, each lighting setup of the plurality of lightingsetups is different from other lighting setups in the plurality oflighting setups.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many additional features and advantages will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon reading the following description, whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a scene illuminated sequentially bythree lighting setups, each lighting setup having two strobe lights,using a sequence of three micro frames with minimal motion offsetcorresponding to the three lighting setups, each lighting setup beingcontrolled by a controller that receives timing signals from a camerarecording the scene, also showing a frame sequence diagram of acorresponding macro (cinematic) frame sequence, each macro frame havingthree micro frames and no long frame.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a scene illuminated sequentially bythree lighting setups, each lighting setup being a single strobe light,also including a continuous light source, each lighting setup and thecontinuous light source being controlled by a controller that receivestiming signals from a camera recording the scene.

FIG. 3 is a frame sequence diagram of a sequence of three macro frames,each macro frame including a sequence of five micro frames followed byone or two optional long frames, each micro frame for capturing lightfrom a strobed lighting setup, and each long frame for capturing lightfrom a continuous light source, where one macro frame is expanded into acorresponding timing diagram showing five micro frame low triggersignals, and two long frame low trigger signals.

FIG. 4A is a frame sequence diagram of a sequence of three macro framesrecorded at a standard cinematic frame rate, each macro frame includinga sequence of three micro frames, the macro frames having short-durationlighting intervals that are suitable for a slow-speed motion of thefilmed scene.

FIG. 4B is a frame sequence diagram of a sequence of three macro framesrecorded at a standard cinematic frame rate, each macro frame includinga sequence of three micro frames, the macro frames having short-durationlighting intervals that are suitable for a standard-speed motion of thefilmed scene.

FIG. 4C is a frame sequence diagram of a sequence of three macro framesrecorded at a rapid cinematic frame rate, each macro frame including asequence of three micro frames, the macro frames having short-durationlighting intervals that are suitable for a slow-speed motion of thefilmed scene.

FIG. 4D is a frame sequence diagram of a sequence of three macro framesrecorded at a rapid cinematic frame rate, each macro frame including asequence of three micro frames, the macro frames having short-durationlighting intervals that are suitable for a standard-speed motion of thefilmed scene.

FIG. 5 is a frame sequence diagram showing how to process footage of ascene illuminated sequentially by three lighting setups so as to producethree respective clips of footage of the scene, each clip of footageshowing the scene illuminated by one of the three lighting setups.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a scene lit by three lighting setups,each lighting setup having two strobe light sources, and each strobelight source controlled by a controller that receives timing signalsfrom a camera recording the scene so as to provide the three lightingsetups.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a scene lit with three lighting setups,a first lighting setup having one strobe light source, a second lightingsetup having three strobe light sources, and a third lighting setuphaving two strobe light sources.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a scene lit with three lighting setups,the first lighting setup having two strobe light sources, the secondlighting setup having three strobe light sources, and the third lightingsetup having one strobe light source.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method for recording a scene using asequence of lighting setups so as to concurrently produce motion pictureclips of footage of the scene for each lighting setup, each motionpicture clip of footage having minimized time offset with respect toeach other.

FIG. 10 is a timing diagram showing some exemplary timing values.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a scene illuminated sequentially bythe three lighting setups of FIG. 8, further including an externalcontroller that provides timing signals to both the camera and thecontroller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram is presented of anapparatus 100 for illuminating and recording a scene 102 using threelighting setups 108, 110, 112. In this embodiment 100, each lightingsetup 108, 110, 112 has two light sources that are capable of providingstrobed light. The apparatus 100 includes a controller 104 incommunication with a camera 106 configured to record the scene 102.

The controller 104 is also in communication with lighting equipmentconsisting of: a light source 114, a light source 116, a light source118, a light source 120, a light source 122, and a light source 124. Thelight sources are grouped into three lighting setups: a first lightingsetup 108 consisting of light source 114 and light source 116, a secondlighting setup 110 consisting of light source 118 and light source 120,and a third lighting setup 112 consisting of light source 122 and lightsource 124.

Each light source that is capable of providing strobed light can be oneor more LEDs, or a Xenon strobe light, or other light source that can beswitched on and off relatively rapidly, i.e., any light source that canexhibit strobe light behavior.

Flash duration of a light source is commonly described by two numbersthat are expressed in fractions of a second:

-   -   t.1 is the length of time the light intensity is above 0.1 (10%)        of the peak intensity    -   t.5 is the length of time the light intensity is above 0.5 (50%)        of the peak intensity

For example, a single flash event might have a t.5 value of 1/1200 and at.1 value of 1/450. These values determine the ability of a flash to“freeze” moving subjects in applications such as sports photography.

Individual strobe flashes typically last approximately 200 microseconds,i.e., 0.2 milliseconds, i.e., ⅕ of a millisecond, but can be sustainedfor greater or lesser periods of time, depending on the strobe'sintended use.

Here are some time durations for comparison:

-   -   0.2 milliseconds—duration of a typical strobe flash    -   1 millisecond (1 ms)—duration of a typical photo flash.    -   2 milliseconds to 5 milliseconds—typical response time in LCD        computer monitors, especially high-end displays    -   8 milliseconds— 1/125 of a second, a standard still camera        shutter speed (125)    -   16.68 milliseconds (1/59.94 second)—the amount of time one field        lasts in 29.97 fps interlaced video (commonly but erroneously        referred to as 30 fps)    -   33.367 milliseconds—the amount of time one frame lasts in 29.97        fps video (most common for NTSC-legacy formats)    -   41.667 milliseconds—the amount of time one frame lasts in 24 fps        video (most common cinematic frame rate)    -   41.708 milliseconds—the amount of time one frame lasts in 23.976        fps video (cinematic frame rate for NTSC-legacy formats)    -   134 milliseconds—the time taken by light to travel around the        Earth's equator    -   200 milliseconds—the time it takes the human brain to recognize        emotion in facial expressions    -   300 to 400 milliseconds—the time for the human eye to blink    -   1000 milliseconds—the time for one second to pass.

The camera 106 records the action in scene 102 as a sequence of macroframes 126. Each macro frame 132 of the sequence 126 can be a cinematicframe with a duration of 41.6667 milliseconds, or 1/24^(th) of a second.However, each macro frame 132 may be of a longer or shorter duration,depending on the desired cinematic film rate.

In some embodiments, the camera can be a high-speed variable frame ratecamera. The high-speed variable frame rate camera can be configured torecord during only a portion 128 of each macro frame 132, the portion128 corresponding to the duration of the sequence of micro frames A, B,C relative to the total duration 128 and 130 of the macro frame. Thehigh-speed variable frame rate camera can also be configured to notrecord during the remainder 130 of the duration 132 of each macro frame.Alternatively, the high-speed variable frame rate camera can beprogrammed to define at least one long frame as a “throw away” frame, todefine a time period during the macro frame where the image data is notneeded for post-processing. The long frame can also be used to capturecontinuous light from a continuous light source, as will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 3 below.

The high-speed variable frame rate camera can be programmed to preciselychange the frame rate within the duration of each macro frame. Forexample, a high-speed variable frame rate camera can be programmed torecord a 400 microsecond micro frame duration, followed by a much longer40,000 microsecond long frame duration within the same macro frame, asshown in FIG. 3, for example.

Some examples of high-speed variable frame rate cameras are in theVision Research Phantom V® series of cameras, featuring Burst ModeAcquisition, which are capable of capturing a sequence of micro framesin a short duration burst, each burst being triggered within each muchlonger duration macro frame.

In some embodiments, the camera can also be a high-speed constant framerate camera, if the high-speed constant frame rate camera can beconfigured to record during only a portion of each macro frame, theportion corresponding to the duration of the sequence of micro framesrelative to the total duration of the macro frame. The high-speedconstant frame rate camera can be configured to not record during theremainder of the duration of each macro frame after the burst of microframes.

As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 106 can be a high-speed camera with avariable frame rate that is configured to record a sequence of threemicro frames 128, each of short duration, followed by at least one longframe 130 of long duration, to form one macro frame 132. (The one longframe 130 is shown with a broken boundary, indicating that this longframe 130 is much longer in duration than the sequence of three microframes 128.) Because the sequence of three micro frames 128 is of shortduration, there is minimal motion offset within the sequence of threemicro frames 128.

In this embodiment, every macro frame 132 of the sequence of macroframes 126 includes a sequence of three micro frames 128 and one longframe 130.

In other embodiments, the number and/or position of the micro frames canbe different. For example, in another embodiment, each macro frame caninclude one long frame followed by a sequence of six micro frames thatare of short duration (not shown).

Under control of the controller 104, the scene 102 is sequentiallyilluminated by the first lighting setup 108, then the second lightingsetup 110, and then the third lighting setup 112. The first micro framesA 134 record the scene 102 illuminated by the first lighting setup 108,the second micro frames B 136 record the scene 102 illuminated by thesecond lighting setup 110, and the third micro frames C 138 record thescene 102 illuminated by the third lighting setup 112.

Lighting intervals A, B, and C are shown indicating the duration of thethree micro frame time intervals within the sequence 128 of three microframes, lighting intervals A, B, and C corresponding to: the first microframes 134, the second micro frames 136, and the third micro frames 138,respectively.

The controller 104 controls the timing of the lighting intervals A, B,and C within the sequence of the three micro frames 128, and the timingof the long frame 130 (1, 2, 3, . . . n). The lighting intervals A, B,and C are chosen to be in sequence, and short in duration, such that theillumination from the first lighting setup 108, the illumination fromsecond lighting setup 110, and the illumination from the third lightingsetup 112 provide minimal motion offset between micro framescorresponding to the three lighting setups.

Each macro frame 132 of the macro frame sequence 126 includes threemicro frames 128 corresponding to each of the three lighting setups. Thefirst micro frames 134 (corresponding to the A's) correspond to thefirst lighting setup 108, the second micro frames 136 (corresponding tothe B's) correspond to the second lighting setup 110, and the thirdmicro frames 138 (corresponding to the C's) correspond to the thirdlighting setup 112.

In some embodiments, the controller 104 is configured to enable the userto include at least one camera parameter that can change for each microframe, and sequentially actuate the at least one camera parameter foreach of the micro frames in accordance with timing signals derived froma micro frame rate of the camera 106. For example, the at least onecamera parameter can include at least one of: sensitivity (ISO);aperture; ND (neutral density filter); and shutter angle.

One of average skill in the art will know that it is also possible toreplace the controller 104 with a plurality of dedicated controllers,each controller dedicated to controlling a single light, or a singlelighting set up. Alternatively, a controller could be built into eachlight. In these embodiments, each dedicated controller can executesoftware to control a specific light or lighting set up, and the cameracould provide control signals to actuate each dedicated controller.

With reference to FIG. 2, a schematic diagram of a top view of a scenelit with one continuous light source 214 and three strobe light sources208, 210, 212 is shown of an apparatus 200 for recording a scene 102using multiple lighting setups. The lighting is divided into threelighting setups 202, 204, 206, each of the lighting setups having onelight source: the first lighting setup 202 having the light source 208,the second lighting setup 204 having the light source 210, and the thirdlighting setup 206 having the light source 212.

Also included is the controller 104 in communication with the camera106, which is configured to record the scene 102. The controller 104synchronizes operation of the camera 106 with activation of the lightingsetups 202, 204, and 206, each lighting setup providing short durationillumination for the scene 102.

In this embodiment, a continuous light source 214 provides constantillumination for the scene 102.

With reference to FIG. 3, a timing diagram of macro frame 306 having aburst sequence of five micro frames A, B, C, D, E 302, followed by twolong frames F, G 304, within a macro frame 306 is shown. The sequence offive micro frames A, B, C, D, E 302 begins with a first micro frame A310, and ends with a last micro frame E 312. The macro frame 306 is oneof a series of macro frames (1, 2, 3) 322, where the macro frame (2) isshown enlarged above the series of macro frames (1, 2, 3) 322.

In this embodiment, the signal voltage alternates between the two binarystates of 5.0 volts and 0.0 volts, for example, to provide low triggersignals 316, 318, and 320. In this embodiment, the low trigger signals316, 318, 320 come from the camera in accordance with a micro frame rateof the camera, and are provided to the controller 104 to activate insequence seven different lighting setups, for example.

In some embodiments, an external timing source sends a timing signal tothe camera.

In other embodiments, an external timing source sends a timing signal toboth the camera and to a light controller, or directly to a plurality oflighting setups.

A low-going transition of 5V to 0V represents a trigger signal. Examplesof these are the micro frame low trigger signals 316 that start each ofthe five micro frames A, B, C, D, E, and the long frame low triggersignals 318 and 320. In other embodiments, a high-going transition from0V to 5V represents a trigger signal.

In this embodiment, the first low trigger signal 316 starts the firstmicro frame A 310, and the sixth low trigger signal 318 starts the firstlong frame F, followed by the seventh low trigger signal 320 that startsthe second long frame G. The long frames F and G together form the longinterval 304. One or both long frames F and G can be used to capturelight from a scene illuminated by a continuous light source, such as thecontinuous light source 214 of FIG. 2 that provides constantillumination for the scene 102.

Regarding F and G, after the short micro frames A, B, C, D, E 316 thereare long micro frames F and G which occupy the remaining portion 304 ofthe macro frame 306. These additional frames F and G can be recorded, ornot. When recorded, the long frames F and/or G are typically used torecord ambient exposure from the continuous light source(s) 214, or anyother continuous light source, including daylight, for example.

The duration of F or G 304 of the macro frame 306 is the product of themacro frame duration 306 and a shutter angle. In this context, theshutter angle is defined as the ratio of the duration of F or G of themacro frame 304 to the duration of the entire macro frame 306. Forexample, if macro frame 306 is 1/24th of a second, and the shutter angleis 180 degrees (which is half of the overall frame 306), F or G is1/48th of a second.

Two possible cases with long frames F and G, for example:

Case 1:

Duration of micro frames 302+Duration of F=(Macro Frame Duration 306)/2

Duration of G=(Macro Frame Duration 306)/2

Case 2:

Duration of micro frames 302+Duration of G=(Macro Frame Duration 306)/2

Duration of F=(Macro Frame Duration 306)/2

One possible case with a single long frame F only, for example:

Duration of micro frames 302+Duration of F=Macro Frame Duration 306

Thus, there can be a long frame F wherein ambient continuous light iscaptured, and there can be a long frame G wherein ambient continuouslight is captured. It is also possible that there are no long frames For G, and the camera does not record light during 304, only during 302.It is also possible for ambient continuous light to be captured during along frame F, and there would be no long frame G.

This embodiment includes five micro frame low trigger signals A, B, C,D, E 316 that the camera 106 sends to the controller 104 (shown inFIG. 1) at the beginning of each micro frame A, B, C, D, and E. In thisembodiment, these five micro frame low trigger signals A, B, C, D, E 316communicate to the controller 104 the timings to activate in sequencefive different lighting setups.

Also shown are the long frame low trigger signals 318 and 320, whichmark the start of the optional frames F and G of the remaining portion304, during which continuous lighting can be recorded, such as thecontinuous lighting starting at the long frame low trigger signal 318and ending at the long frame low trigger signal 320.

The micro frame low trigger signals 316 and the long frame low triggersignals 318 and 320 can be short in duration, such as 1 microsecond, forexample. Alternatively, each trigger signal can be the duration of therespective micro frame or of the respective long frame exposureduration.

In some embodiments a high-speed variable frame rate camera can beprogrammed to define the remaining portion 304 as a “throw away” frame,used to exclude from recording many frames during the macro frame 306where that image data is not needed for post-processing. This partialframe recording greatly reduces image data storage requirements (versusstoring high speed image data and continuous illumination datathroughout the entire duration 306 of the macro frame).

Typically, a macro frame 306 includes one to ten micro frames 302. Themost useful range is from one to thirty micro frames per macro frame.FIG. 3 shows an example where each macro frame 306 includes a burstsequence 302 of five micro frames A, B, C, D, and E of short duration,and a remaining portion 304 that includes long frames F and G, which areof much longer duration than a micro frame.

In some embodiments, the length of each of the micro frames A, B, C, D,and E is 400 microseconds, and the length of the remaining portion 304is substantially 39,667 microseconds, corresponding to a cinematic framerate of 1/24^(th) of a second, or a total macro frame duration of41,666.67 microseconds. For duration examples, see FIG. 10.

The micro frames A, B, C, D, and E are chosen to be in sequence, and tobe of short duration so as to provide minimal motion offset among theimages captured within the sequence of five micro frames 302.

Each macro frame 306 is recorded in sequence to form a sequence of macroframes 322.

The camera 106 (shown in FIG. 1) is configured to record a sequence offive micro frames 302, for example, for each macro frame 306. And thenfor the remainder 304 of the macro frame, possibly also record a longframe F, and further possibly a long frame G, during that macro frame306. The duration of the sequence of five micro frames 302 begins at thestart of the first micro frame 310 and ends at the end of the last microframe 312.

In some embodiments, the duration of the sequence of five micro frames302 is less than 5 milliseconds. In the case of a sequence of 1 to tenmicro frames, the duration of such a sequence is typically 0.2 to 10milliseconds. In the case of a sequence of thirty micro frames, theduration of such a sequence is typically less than 30 milliseconds.

The shortness of the duration of the sequence of five micro frames 302is chosen to reduce motion artifacts, determined by the motioncharacteristics of the subject being filmed. The more micro frames inthe sequence, the more likely motion blur and motion offset will beintroduced.

In some embodiments, the controller 104 is configured to actuate theplurality of lighting setups (e.g., 108, 110, 112) in sequence inaccordance with the timing signals provided by the camera 106, such thata first lighting setup 108 of the plurality of lighting setups isactuated by a timing signal after a beginning of a macro frame, and alast lighting setup 112 of the plurality of lighting setups is actuatedby a timing signal such that the last lighting setup will go dark beforean end of the macro frame.

In some embodiments, the timing signals for the micro frames and thelong frames are derived from the camera 106, where the timing signalsfor the short and long micro frames are set in the camera, and providedby the camera 106 to the controller 104, which in turn controls thelighting setups 108, 110, 112, for example.

With reference to FIG. 4A, a frame sequence diagram is shown of asequence of macro frames 132, starting with the sequence 126 of threemacro frames 132. The sequence 126 of macro frames 132 is recorded at astandard cinematic frame rate. Each macro frame 132 includes a burstsequence of micro frames 128, each micro frame 128 being capable ofcapturing strobed lighting of a duration that is suitable for slow-speedcinematic motion of the filmed scene 102 (shown in FIG. 1). In someembodiments, a standard cinematic frame rate of 24 FPS (frames persecond) can be used.

Each macro frame 132 includes a sequence of three micro frames A B C 128and one long frame (1, 2, 3), the micro frames A B C 128 correspondingto short duration lighting intervals that substantially minimize visualartifacts (such as motion offset between the micro frames A, B, and Ccorresponding to the three lighting setups) when post processing thesequence of macro frames 126, if slow-speed motion is present in thescene 102.

With reference to FIG. 4B, a schematic diagram is shown of a sequence402 of macro frames 410, recorded at a standard cinematic frame rate,and with a short duration sequence of micro frames A B C 408 that issuitable for standard-speed cinematic motion of the filmed scene 102(shown in FIG. 1).

Each macro frame 410 includes a sequence of three micro frames A B C 408and one long frame (1, 2, 3), the micro frames A B C corresponding toshort duration lighting intervals that substantially minimize visualartifacts (such as motion offset between the micro frames A, B, and Ccorresponding to the three lighting setups) when post processing thesequence of macro frames 402, if standard-speed motion is present in thescene 102.

With reference to FIG. 4C, a schematic diagram is shown of the sequence404 of macro frames 414, recorded at a rapid cinematic frame rate, andwith a short duration sequence of micro frames A B C 412 that issuitable for slow-speed cinematic motion of the filmed scene 102 (shownin FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the rapid cinematic frame rate can be30 FPS, 48 FPS, or 60 FPS.

Each macro frame 414 includes a sequence of three micro frames A B C 412and one long frame (1, 2, 3), the micro frames A B C corresponding toshort duration lighting intervals that substantially minimize visualartifacts (such as motion offset between the micro frames A, B, and Ccorresponding to the three lighting setups) when post processing thesequence of macro frames 404, if slow-speed motion is present in thescene 102.

With reference to FIG. 4D, a schematic diagram is shown of a sequence406 of macro frames 418, recorded at a rapid cinematic frame rate, andwith a short duration sequence of micro frames A B C 416 that issuitable for standard-speed cinematic motion of the filmed scene 102(shown in FIG. 1).

Each macro frame 418 includes a sequence of three micro frames A B C 416and one long frame (1, 2, 3), the micro frames A B C corresponding toshort duration lighting intervals that substantially minimize visualartifacts (such as motion offset between the micro frames A, B, and Ccorresponding to the three lighting setups) when post processing thesequence of macro frames 406, if standard-speed motion is present in thescene 102.

With reference to FIG. 5, a schematic diagram showing how to processfootage of a scene illuminated sequentially by three lighting setupsinto three individual clips is shown. Each macro frame 132 includes thesequence of micro frames A B C 128 having a short-duration, and one longframe (1, 2, 3), and each macro frame 132 including the micro frames A,B, and C corresponding to the three lighting setups. The sequence ofmacro frames 126 includes individual macro frames 132 numbered 1 throughn, where n is the number of macro frames 132, and n is also equal to thenumber of frames in the processed film clips.

The sequence of macro frames 126 produce three respective pieces offootage of the scene 102 (shown in FIG. 1), each piece of footageshowing the scene illuminated by one of the three lighting setups: thefirst lighting setup 108, the second lighting setup 110, and the thirdlighting setup 112 (each shown in FIG. 1). The “A” micro framesproducing the “A” frames in a first frame clip 502, the “B” micro framesproducing the “B” frames in a second frame clip 504, and the “C” microframes producing the “C” frames in a third frame clip 506.

Three respective clips 502, 504, 506 of footage of the scene areproduced, each clip of footage showing the scene illuminated by one ofthe three lighting setups.

With reference to FIG. 6, a schematic diagram of a top view of a scene102 lit with three lighting setups 602, 604, 606 is shown of anapparatus 600 for recording a scene using multiple lighting setups.Included is the controller 104 in communication with the camera 106configured to record the scene 102. In this embodiment, a light source608 and a light source 610 are included in a first lighting setup 602 toprovide light for the scene 102 at the same time. A light source 612 anda light source 614 are included in a second lighting setup 604 toprovide light for the scene 102 at the same time. In addition, a lightsource 616 and a light source 618 are included in a third lighting setup606 to provide light for the scene 102 at the same time.

The controller 104 activates the first lighting setup 602 at a timewithin the “A” micro frames of the sequence of frames 126 (shown in FIG.1), and the controller 104 activates the second lighting setup 604within the “B” micro frames of the sequence of frames 126 (shown in FIG.1). In addition, the controller 104 activates the third lighting setup606 within the “C” micro frames of the sequence of frames 126 (shown inFIG. 1).

The first lighting setup 602 includes the light source 608 and the lightsource 610, both synchronized by the controller 104 to provide shortduration illumination to the scene 102 at the same time, correspondingto the “A” micro frames in the sequence of frames 126 (shown in FIG. 1).

The second lighting setup 604 includes the light source 612 and thelight source 614, both synchronized by the controller 104 to provideshort duration illumination to the scene 102 at the same time,corresponding to the “B” micro frames in the sequence of frames 126(shown in FIG. 1).

The third lighting setup 606 includes the light source 616 and the lightsource 618, both synchronized by the controller 104 to provide shortduration illumination to the scene 102 at the same time, correspondingto the “C” micro frames in the sequence of frames 126 (shown in FIG. 1).

Each light source is controlled by the controller 104 that receivestiming signals from the camera 106 recording the scene so as to providesequential activations to the first lighting setup 602, the secondlighting setup 604, and the third lighting setup 606.

With reference to FIG. 7, a schematic diagram of a top view of a scene102 lit with three lighting setups 702, 704, 706 is shown of anapparatus 700 for recording a scene using multiple lighting setups.Included is the controller 104 in communication with the camera 106configured to record the scene 102. In this embodiment, a single lightsource 708 is included in a first lighting setup 702 to provide lightfor the scene 102. Three light sources 710, 712, and 714 are included ina second lighting setup 704 to provide light for the scene 102. Inaddition, two light sources 716 and 718 are included in a third lightingsetup 706 to provide light for the scene 102.

The controller 104 activates the first lighting setup 702 at a timewithin the “A” micro frames of the sequence of frames 126 (shown in FIG.1), and the controller 104 activates the second lighting setup 704within the “B” micro frames of the sequence of frames 126 (shown in FIG.1). In addition, the controller 104 activates the third lighting setup706 within the “C” micro frames of the sequence of frames 126 (shown inFIG. 1).

The first lighting setup 702 includes the light source 708, synchronizedby the controller 104 to provide short duration illumination to thescene 102, corresponding to the “A” micro frames in the sequence offrames 126 (shown in FIG. 1).

The second lighting setup 704 includes the light source 710, the lightsource 712 and the light source 714, all three synchronized by thecontroller 104 to provide short duration illumination to the scene 102at the same time, corresponding to the “B” micro frames in the sequenceof frames 126 (shown in FIG. 1).

The third lighting setup 706 includes the light source 716 and the lightsource 718, both synchronized by the controller 104 to provide shortduration illumination to the scene 102 at the same time, correspondingto the “C” micro frames in the sequence of frames 126 (shown in FIG. 1).

Each light source is controlled by the controller 104 that receivestiming signals from the camera 106 recording the scene so as to providesequential activations to the first lighting setup 702, the secondlighting setup 704, and the third lighting setup 706.

With reference to FIG. 8, a schematic diagram of a top view of a scene102 lit with three lighting setups 802, 804, 806 is shown of anapparatus 800 for recording a scene using multiple lighting setups.Included is the controller 104 in communication with the camera 106configured to record the scene 102. In this embodiment, light sources808 and 810 are included in a first lighting setup 802 to provide lightfor the scene 102. Light sources 812, 814, and 816 are included in asecond lighting setup 804 to provide light for the scene 102. Inaddition, a single light source 818 is included in a third lightingsetup 806 to provide light for the scene 102.

The controller 104 activates the first lighting setup 802 at a timewithin the “A” micro frames of the sequence of frames 126 (shown in FIG.1), and the controller 104 activates the second lighting setup 804within the “B” micro frames of the sequence of frames 126 (shown in FIG.1). In addition, the controller 104 activates the third lighting setup806 within the “C” micro frames of the sequence of frames 126 (shown inFIG. 1).

The first lighting setup 802 includes the light source 808 and the lightsource 810, both synchronized by the controller 104 to provide shortduration illumination to the scene 102 at the same time, correspondingto the “A” micro frames in the sequence of frames 126 (shown in FIG. 1).

The second lighting setup 804 includes the light source 812, the lightsource 814 and the light source 816, all three synchronized by thecontroller 104 to together provide short duration illumination to thescene 102 at the same time, corresponding to the “B” micro frames in thesequence of frames 126 (shown in FIG. 1).

The third lighting setup 806 includes the light source 818, synchronizedby the controller 104 to provide short duration illumination to thescene 102, corresponding to the “C” micro frames in the sequence offrames 126 (shown in FIG. 1).

Each light source is controlled by the controller 104 that receivestiming signals from the camera 106 recording the scene so as to providesequential activations to the first lighting setup 802, the secondlighting setup 804, and the third lighting setup 806.

With reference to FIG. 9, a flow chart is shown for a method 900 forrecording a scene using a plurality of lighting setups so as toconcurrently produce motion picture footage of the scene for eachlighting setup of the scene, the motion picture clips having minimizedtime offset with respect to each other.

The method includes selecting 902 a plurality of light sources, witheach light source configured to illuminate the scene 102 (shown in FIG.1).

Next, the method 900 includes selecting 904 a plurality of lightingsetups from the plurality of light sources, and then actuating 906 theplurality of lighting setups in sequence from the plurality of lightsources. Each lighting setup can be selected so as to be different fromthe other lighting setups, or two lighting setups can share one or morelight sources in common.

The method 900 next includes capturing 908 a sequence of macro frames,each macro frame including a sequence of micro frames, in accordancewith timing signals, including actuating each lighting setupcorresponding to each micro frame, in the sequence of micro frameswithin each macro frame.

Optionally, the method 900 may also include processing 910 the sequenceof macro frames to generate a plurality of motion picture clipscorresponding to the plurality of lighting setups.

1/60^(th) of a second is a common threshold whereby a number of everydaytypes of motions appear frozen at this recording speed or faster. At aframe rate of 60 FPS, each frame has a duration of 1/60^(th) of asecond, equal to 16.6667 milliseconds.

Referring to FIG. 10, a timing diagram is presented showing someexemplary timing values. For example, the micro frame A can be 400microseconds. The pulse 1016 can be 1 microsecond, and the long frame Fcan be 39, 666.67 microseconds.

With reference to FIG. 11, a scene 102 is illuminated sequentially bythe three lighting setups 1102, 1104, 1106, further including anexternal controller 1120 that provides timing signals to both the camera106 and the controller 104.

Instead of using the internal settings of the camera 106, an externalcontroller 1120 can serve as a signal generator to provide a signal tothe camera 106 which determines the timings of the macro and microframes. One example of this is a waveform generator (such as theKeysight™ 33511B) which, when attached with a BNC cable, to the F-Syncconnector on a high speed camera such as the Vision Research™ v2460, cansupply the necessary signal. In the example of the Keysight™ 33511B, thesignal is a 5V signal which drops to 0V for at least one microsecond toclose out the previous frame and to cause a new frame to start. Thesignal then returns to 5V.

For example, FIG. 10 shows one cycle of the signal from the waveformgenerator as it is provided to the camera so as to fire five microframes, each micro frame being of a duration of 400 microseconds, andone longer frame lasting 39,666.67 microseconds. These frames give acombined macro frame with a duration of 1/24th of a second. This signalis sent through repeatedly for the number of iterations to run thecamera for the desired shot length.

For example, to run the camera for a 10 second shot, the signal in FIG.10 would be repeated 240 times (as each repetition is 1/24th of asecond). In this example, as shown in FIG. 11, the waveform generatorserves as an external controller 1120 that is connected to the camera106, and provides a stream of timing signals to the camera 106.

In other embodiments, the external controller 1120 can be a ‘customcontroller’ or other device generating timing signals, including theF-sync type outlined above, and others commonly used in the industrysuch as Genlock™ (Tri Level, BiLevel), FrameSync™, Strobe Signal, orRIG. In addition to sending signals directly to the camera, 1120 canalso be connected directly to the main system controller 104 (shown as adashed line between 1120 and 104 in FIG. 11). In this way, the externalcontroller 1120 can send signals to the camera 106 and to the mainsystem controller 104. Alternatively, the external controller 1120 andthe main system controller 104 can operate in tandem, exchanging signalswith the camera 106 and sending signals to the lights to fire.

Thus, in some embodiments, the timing signals are derived from theexternal controller 1120 that controls the camera 106, and the camera106 controls the lighting setups 108, 110, 112.

This can be done in a variety of ways which involve the systemcontroller 104 and/or the external controller 1120:

An external controller 1120 generates signals for the micro frames andthe long frames which are sent to the camera 106, which sends them on tothe system controller 104.

An external controller 1120 generates signals for the micro frames andthe long frames which are sent both to the camera 106 and to the systemcontroller 104.

An external controller 1120 generates signals for the micro frames andthe long frames which are sent to the camera 106, and in unison withthese timing signals it also signals the lights to fire. Thus, there isonly one controller (external controller 1120) which sends signalsdirectly to the camera and to the lights.

An external controller 1120 generates signals for the micro frames andthe long frames which are sent to the camera 106. The camera 106 sends asignal back to the external controller 1120, which then uses that signalas the basis for sending signals to the lights to fire. Thus, there isonly one controller (external controller 1120) which sends signalsdirectly to the camera and to the lights.

In some embodiments, the lights receive signals from the externalcontroller 1120 or the controller 104 to trigger at a FPS (frame rate)that is a multiple of the FPS (frame rate) at which the camera 106 isrecording. Thus, the lights can operate at a firing rate which is amultiple of the camera frame rate. For example the camera 106 can run at24 FPS, while the lights are still synced as explained above, but run ata rate of 96 FPS.

Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the inventionas claimed. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limitthe invention, except as indicated in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for recording a scene using aplurality of lighting setups so as to concurrently record a respectiveplurality of motion picture clips of the scene, one motion picture clipfor each lighting setup, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of lightsources, each light source configured to illuminate at least part of ascene; a controller configured to: enable a user to define a pluralityof lighting setups using the plurality of light sources, and actuate theplurality of lighting setups in accordance with timing signals so as toprovide a sequence of lighting setups, the controller configured toactuate the plurality of lighting setups in sequence in accordance withthe timing signals, such that a first lighting setup of the plurality oflighting setups is actuated by a timing signal upon a beginning of amacro frame, and a last lighting setup of the plurality of lightingsetups is actuated by a timing signal such that the last lighting setupwill go dark before an end of the macro frame; and a camera configuredto capture a sequence of macro frames, each macro frame being of aduration so as to include a sequence of micro frames, the sequence ofmicro frames being of a duration of no more than substantially 21milliseconds, each micro frame initiated by a timing signal, and atleast one micro frame being capable of capturing the scene illuminatedby one of the plurality of lighting setups.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the camera is a variable frame rate camera configured to capturemicro frames during only a portion of each macro frame, the portioncorresponding to the duration of the sequence of micro frames.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the variable frame rate camera isconfigured to capture only the sequence of micro frames in each macroframe.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the variable frame ratecamera is configured to capture at least one long micro frame aftercapturing the sequence of micro frames, the long micro frame being of anextended duration configured to capture light from a continuous lightsource.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera is a constantframe rate camera configured to record during only a portion of eachmacro frame, the portion corresponding to the duration of the sequenceof micro frames.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: aprocessing module configured to assemble a plurality of motion pictureclips, each motion picture clip assembled from a sequence ofcorresponding micro frames of the sequence of macro frames, each motionpicture clip corresponding to one of the lighting setups.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the timing signals are derived from thecamera.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the timing signals arederived from an external controller.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the controller is configured to: enable the user to include atleast one camera parameter that can change for each micro frame; andsequentially actuate the at least one camera parameter for each of themicro frames in accordance with timing signals.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the at least one camera parameter can include at leastone of: sensitivity (ISO); aperture; ND (neutral density filter); andshutter angle.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each lighting setupof the plurality of lighting setups is different from other lightingsetups in the plurality of lighting setups.